London,

Magnetic Morrissey

By David Smyth, Evening Standard  22.01.08

He may reside in Rome and have a new song entitled I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris, but for the next week at least, Morrissey is London's once more.

Six sell-out nights at the Roundhouse signal the imminent release of a greatest hits album and set out the 48-year-old's stall for prominence for the rest of the year, acting as a showcase for five tracks from autumn's new album.

He seemed in good humour for his first London show in just over a year, striking the Thinker pose as he arrived, saying: "Good evening, West Ham," and later introducing himself with the words: "My name is Stanley Ogden and I come from Sidcup".

Twirling his microphone lead back and forth like a matador's cape, his voice was as powerful as his surprisingly heavy band during opening crowd favourites How Soon Is Now? and The First Of The Gang to Die.

Unbowed by his latest spat with music magazine the NME, which he is suing for defamation following new accusations of racism, the set list included one of his most controversial songs, The National Front Disco. What would the magazine have made of his throwaway remark: "I have a frog in me throat, and I don't mean a small French person"?

All You Need Is Me, an angry, fast and not particularly tuneful new song, seemed to address his accusers despite being written before his current troubles. "There's so much destruction all over the world/And all you can do is complain about me," he sang, before going on to assert, rightfully: "You're gonna miss me when I'm gone."

Other new ones were stronger, particularly Mama Lay Softly On The Riverbed, which finished with three band members bashing marching drums, and the rampant noise of Something Is Squeezing My Skull.

Perhaps to increase their appeal, he left out solo classics such as Everyday Is Like Sunday and November Spawned A Monster, plus endless Smiths favourites, preferring lesser-known songs by his old band including Stretch Out And Wait and an epic Death Of A Disco Dancer.

Having last played here at Wembley Arena, he was better to watch in this smaller venue where the fevered adulation of the crowd was far more palpable. Only one fan made it to the singer's side, catching everyone by surprise by emerging from backstage, but plenty more gave everything trying to touch their hero. Whether he attracts adoration or controversy, Britain needs stars with this level of magnetism.

Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.

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